Manchester United have 'no excuse' not to have a senior women's team
Last updated on .From the section Women's Football
There is "no excuse" for Manchester United not to have a senior women's team, a former Old Trafford director has said.
The club have junior female sides but disbanded their women's side in 2005.
Ex-commercial director Andy Anson, who was on the board until 2007, believes it is no longer tenable for the club to be without a senior women's side.
"It is something of an embarrassment to them now. Manchester United have to revisit this," Anson said.
Speaking at a conference in Salford, he continued: "There are no excuses and no arguments. They have to make it happen.
"I am embarrassed to admit the decision to close the senior women's team down was taken when I was on the board."
United have repeatedly said the option of relaunching a women's team remains 'under review'.
The Women's Super League was launched in 2011 and rivals Manchester City have become one of the major forces in the women's game.
City won the league title in 2016, and the FA Cup in 2017, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.
"I understand that it is a difficult thing to make happen logistically and commercially - it might be a challenging decision," Anson added.
"However, women's football has reached such a stage in its evolution, it doesn't feel right for Manchester United not to be involved."
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However, I understand why a mens team might want to set up a women's team to help get more fans etc.
Surely women in Manchester who desire a professional football club can set one up themselves (a bit like FC United, or frankly any other given pro club)?
The whole thing smacks of entitlement - they want the MU subsidy
Now name a female Manchester United footballer from before they disbanded. Nope, I can't think of one either. They had about 200 people go to watch them. Now suddenly certain people claim it's something they care deeply about. Were you buying tickets to watch them before 2005 then? Why should the men's team subsidise the women's?
Answer: Because it's not commercially viable. They need the men's team and the club brand built by the men's team, to subsidise them. If it's about 'equality' as a feminist would claim and not special treatment, there's no social obligation.
The woman's game is not commercial viable as its not very good.
Sometimes you dont pick your best player because they dont fit the team, or maybe there is an upcoming prospect etc etc.
Imagine how many players Fergie "bullied"
Interesting. Could you define a social obligation please? And also explain why MUTD has one? Thanks.
It's up to them isn't it?
If there is then I suggest the women set one up themselves. I don't understand why the women expect to be handed everything on a plate by the men. The BBC would have us believe that women today are strong and independent, that doesn't seem to be the case here.
If people are only watching the women's game because the teams involved happen to have the same name as a PL club then it doesn't say much for the "product".
Is it an obligation now?